Timeless - Mark Tuan

Chapter 35

I turn around, and see Mark and the rest already frozen on their feet. "Gillian." I say her name. "What are you talking about? I can't leave now. I can't leave Mark."

They might still hear us. She sends out. It's better if we communicate like this for now. 

What do you want? I stay at the defensive side, readying my hands when she decides to do something. Instead of explaining, she shows me an image. It's of the other woman she and Mark were with last time. She's tied on chains and a man is standing in front of her. The guy turns around and my knees suddenly get weak, making me fall on the floor. Jinyoung. Who is that woman?

That's Mark's mother.

What? Why would Jinyoung ... ? Oh no!

"Please!" She voices out now, her eyes spilling tears. "Please, Arnisa. I'm begging you." I know you came here with good intentions, but maybe, it's not just your time yet.

I sob freely, burying my face on my hands. What should I do? 

Leave! 

I should, shouldn't I? Maybe it was just too good to be true. 

It's better to do it now, Arnisa, before Mark realizes what happened. You know where his temper gets him. 

I understand. I wipe my cheeks dry and look up at her. Where is he?

"Follow me." She turns around and exits the door. 

"Wha...." The freeze spell disappears when the woman does. "Shit. Where's Gillian? Where'd she go?" Mark asks, looking disoriented. 

"Uhm..." I turn to him, trying to put on a happy face. "I'll go check on the doctor. I'll tell her Mae is up." 

He nods. 

Before I would tear up, I wrap my arms around him, smelling his scent one last time. "Don't come looking for me." I whisper, loud enough for him to hear. "I'll be back. That, I promise."

"What are you talking about?" He chuckles, hugging me back. "The doctor's office is just at the floor under this." 

"I know." I try to giggle, but it comes out awkward. I clear my throat to hide it. "Even though. I'm still gonna miss you." I pout, acting as if it's nothing. "I love you, Mark."

He kisses the top of my head, but I move my face up so I can taste his lips one last time. 

"I love you, Annie." He smirks, pulling away. 

"Look at you two..." Jackson says, disgusted at what he's seeing. "As if she'd be gone for another three hundred years."

"Go get Mae some food." I tell him immediately, taking Mark's thoughts away from what Jackson just said. I turn to him then. "You watch over her alright?"

"Annie?" Mae's voice stops me on my tracks. "You'll come back, won't you?" 

I can't turn to face her as my tears are already at the brink of my eyes. "Yes." 

_____

"I'm sorry you have to leave like this." Gillian tells me as we make our way to where Jinyoung is. "If only I could change anything, I would. I just want to see Mark happy, you know. He's my family."

"I know." I hide my tears as I stare out the window. 

"Jinyoung is, too."

I turn to her, furrowing my brows. "What do you mean?"

"He's Mark's great uncle." She continues. "I guess he became greedy after years of being deprived of what we have." 

"Deprived?"